Gratitude is an emotion and expression of appreciation for something or someone. Gratitude is also described as a good feeling towards something. It is the recognition that something good happened to you. It is also a personality trait where some individuals are more inclined to be grateful than others. Why is that? Is it because some people take things and others for granted while others perceive all that they have to be blessings?
Did you know there are health benefits to being thankful in life? For example, people who count all their blessings tend to be happier and have less mental health issues. How is this possible? It looks like the more we recognize the blessings we have in our lives; it allows us to release any negative emotions that may have been attached to our situations. Some of the benefits of being grateful that research has found are:
- Having better sleep
- Helping improve self esteem
- Decreasing your stress
- Having less anxiety and depression
- Building stronger relationships
- Having a stronger immune system
- Having more optimism
In addition, according to UC Davis Health Center, “Gratitude blocks toxic emotions, such as envy, resentment, regret, and depression, which can destroy our happiness.”
Gratitude helps people experience positive feelings of love, joy, improved health, and better ability to deal with problems.
Sometimes we get hit by unexpected circumstances in life that naturally we want to think, "Why me?" In counseling, we teach many methods in how to reframe your experiences or how to be more grateful.
Click HERE to learn more about the Wellview services available to you. Our mental health specialists can help you on your journey of great fullness leading to happiness!
– Yajaira Escobedo, LMSW, LCDC, TFCBT, CCTP
Mental Health Specialist | Email Yajaira
Sources:
Brown, J. and Wong, J. (June 6, 2017) How Gratitude Changes you and your Brain. <https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_gratitude_changes_you_and_your_brain>
Cherry, K. (Oct 29, 2021) What is Gratitude? <https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-gratitude-5206817>
Harvard Health Publishing (n.d.) Giving thanks can make you happy. <https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/giving-thanks-can-make-you-happier>
